The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Since the Reformation.

HENRY STAFFORD, Baron of Stafford in this County, was son unto Edward Duke of Buckingham attainted and beheaded under King Henry the Eighth. This our Henry, though loosing his Top and Top-Gallant (his Earledom and Dukedome) in the tempest of the Kings displeasure, yet still he kept his Keel, his Barony of Stafford. The less he pos∣sessed of his Fathers Lands, the more he enjoyed of himself. It was not sullenesse or re∣venge, but free choice, which made him betake himself to his studies, wherein he became eminent.

I place him confidently not a trans, but Cis-reformation-man for translating the Book of D^r. Fox Bishop of Hereford (a favourer of Luther) into English, Of the Difference of the power Ecclesiastical and Secular.

A Subject profitable in all; seasonable (not to say necessary) in our Times: For as the Water and Earth making but one Globe take their mutual advantages to enlarge themselves, so these two powers united under one King in our land, wait their opportunities to advance their respective Jurisdictions, the right stating whereof would conduce much to the publick Peace. This Lord* 1.1 died (I dare not say the more the pitty) some moneths before the beginning of Queen Elizabeth, Anno 1558.

SAMPSON ERDERSWIK, Esq. was born at Sandon near Stafford in this County, of a Right Worshipful and ancient Extraction. He was a Gentleman accomplished with all Noble qualities, affability, devotion, and Learning. 'T is hard to say whether his Judgement or Industry was more in matters of Antiquity.

Bearing a tender respect to his native Country and desiring the honour thereof: he began a description (•…•…ntituled A view of Stafford-shire,) Anno Domini 1593, conteining the same till the day of his death. A short, clear, true, impartial work, taken out of ancient evidences and Records, the Copies whereof in Manuscripts are deservedly

valued for great Rarities. This is he, who, when I often groped in the dark, yea feared to fall in matters concerning this County, took me by the hand (Oh! for the like Con∣ductors in other Counties) and hath led me safe by his direction. He was much de∣lighted with decency of Gods House, which made him on his own cost to repaire & new Glaze the Church of Sandon, wherein (to prevent neglect of Executors) he erected for himself a goodly Monument of Free-stone with his proportion cut out to the life, and now lieth therein interred. He died April the 11, 1603, and let his Elogie of M^r. * 1.2 Camden serve for his Epitaph; Venerandae Antiquitatis fuit Cultor Maximus.

THOMAS ALLEN was born in this County, deriving his original from Allanus de * 1.3 Buc∣kenhole, Lord of Buckenhole, in the reign of King Edward the 2d. He was bred in Glocester-Hall in Oxford a most excellent Mathematician, where he succeeded to the skill and scandal of Frier Bacon, (taken at both, but given I beleeve by neither) accounted a Conjurer. In∣deed vulgar eyes, ignorant in Opticks, conceit that raised which is but reflected, fancy every shadow a spirit, every spirit a Divel. And when once the repute of a Conjurer is raised in vulgar esteem, it is not in the power of the greatest Innocence and Learning to allay it. He was much in favour with Robert Earl of Leicester, and his admirable writings of Mathematicks are l•…•…tent with some private possessors, which envy the publick profit thereof. He died a very aged man towards the end of the reign of King James.

HENRY and ROBERT BURTON Brethren, and eminent Authors in their several kinds, were, as some say, born at Fald in this County. But Leicester-shire preten∣ding some probability to their Nativities, hath by the Alphabetical advantage preven∣ted this Shire, and carried away their * 1.4 Characters therein.

Besides these deceased WRITERS, Reader, I have Three in my eye, who are (and long may they be) alive, as different, as eminent in their liberal inclinations. Edward Leigh, of Rushwel-Hall Esq. whose Critica Sacra with many other worthy works will make his Ju∣dicious Industry known to posterity. Elias Ashmole, Esq. born in Litchfield, critically skilled in Ancient Coins, Chymistry, Heraldry, Mathematicks, what not? John Lightfood, D. D. who for his exact insight in Hebrew, and Rabbinical Learning hath deserved well of the Church of England. But forgive me, Reader, I have forgot myself and trespassed on my Fundamental Rules.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pits. anno 1558.
• * 1.2

  Britt. in this Coun•…•…y.
• * 1.3

  Samps. Er∣deswick Ma∣nuscrip.
• * 1.4

  See in Lei∣cester-shire Writers since the Re∣formation.